Kenn was born on December 27, 1919, to Ruth (Draper) and George Cruze in
Morris
,
Minnesota
.
He graduated from
Morris
High School
in 1938 and Dunwoody Institute in
Minneapolis
in 1940.
He was employed with the US Navy building US destroyers until July of 1942, and then transferred to
Pearl Harbor
until 1945.
He was awarded an Honorable Certificate of Service from the US Government for service during WW II.
He and his brother Verne started Cruze Electric and Sporting Goods Store in Morris in 1946.
Kenn bought Verne’s share of the business in 1958.
He sold the business in 1972 and worked in auto parts for Oman Supply and Bernie’s Motors until he retired in 1986.
He was married to Jeanne Lauer on
November 5, 1946
, by Father John A. Fearon.
Three children were born of this marriage; Rebecca (Becky) Duffy, Patricia Cruze, and Kenneth Jr.
He was a member of the Assumption Catholic Church, President of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce in 1949, and a lifetime member of the 9F Sportsman Club.
Kenn enjoyed hunting and fishing but most of all, spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Vern and Carl, two sisters Josephine and Clytheria, and one granddaughter Kaitlyn Rose.
Kenn is survived by his wife Jeanne, Becky (and husband Don) Duffy of St. Cloud, FL, Patty Cruze of Napa, CA, Ken Jr. (and wife Londa) of Sartell, MN; grandchildren Paul (and wife Cathy) Hesse, Beth (and husband Joshua) Siegel, Laural, Jeremy, Michelle Schweiger, Hannah, Elle, Lauren and Ken
III
Cruze; and great-grandchildren Ken and Matthew Hesse, Amber and Aeryn Siegel; a brother Harold (and wife Lyla) Cruze of Houston, MN., a sister-in-law Leona Cruze of Paynesville, and many nieces and nephews.
Linda Hodgson will serve as pianist for the service with Ken Hodgson serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
